Page 39 of Like You Know

Neither of them was even looking at me. Did they even remember why they’d started this bullshit in the first place?

I caught Donna’s eye from across the crowd. The others were nowhere to be seen, but she was saying something to Easton while keeping her focus on me. Ford’s brother pinched the bridge of his nose.

I gave Donna a smirk and an eye roll.Men.

She returned my smirk, amusement in her gaze.Can’t wait to see you put them in their place.

The two idiots were still bickering, chests puffed, really in each other’s faces.

I moved to stand at their sides and folded my hands behind me. When I leaned forward, bringing my face close to theirs, they both stopped what they were doing and gave me frowns. As though I was the one acting weird.

“Is this the part where you kiss?” I asked, looking between them. A couple people chuckled.

Ford leaned back and grinned. “I’m up for it, if that’s what you’re into.”

Jet’s expression was the complete opposite—all serious and intense—his full focus on me. “I’m only interested in kissing one person here.”

What?“What?” I huffed. “Seriously? It’s my fucking birthday, Jet. I refuse to deal with your bullshit on my damn birthday!”

More people looked our way, ironically because of me and my raised voice. As usual, this asshole was getting under my skin.

“Can we please go somewhere quiet and talk?” he asked, voice low, as he stepped in close.

I moved back to regain my distance and folded my arms over my chest.

“No. Fuck you!” I didn’t bother to keep my voice down. “I’m not leaving my birthday party to have you—I’m not doing this, Jet. I’m having a fun night, and that’s the end of that.”

A cheer went up from my friends and acquaintances, and a few people I’d never seen in my life, backing me in my quest for a fun time.

“You.” I pointed at Ford. “Go get me a drink.” My buzz was wearing off.

“And you.” I pointed at Jet. “Go away.”

Ford headed toward the bar, laughing as he went, but Jet was not as good at taking directions.

“I’m not leaving until I give the birthday girl a kiss,” Jet said, his expression no longer so serious but still kind of intense. Those damn dimples came out as he stepped closer again. This time, I didn’t move away.

I pursed my lips as I tipped my head back. I’d had more than a few people cower under my bitch-face. It made me feel strong, and I refused to be anything other than the badass bitch I wanted to be in this moment. Jet had made me feel like shit one too many times. He’d rejected me and humiliated me one too many times. I refused to let him make me think he wanted me before he inevitably changed his mind at the last possible second. Not in front of all these people. Not on my fucking birthday.

“If you insist.” I gave him a mocking smile. “You can kiss my foot.”

He could either do exactly that or turn around and leave. I was fine with either option.

He narrowed his eyes at me, but his smile didn’t seem forced—he looked amused. Keeping his gaze locked on mine, he took a step back. A pang of disappointment shot through my chest, but I didn’t let it show. I wanted him to leave, and he was leaving. What did I expect?

To my utter surprise, he didn’t turn on his heel and bail. He lowered himself to one knee and leaned forward to wrap a hand around my calf.

His warm hand on my bare leg steadied me when I felt ready to fall on my face from shock. Still, I kept my bitchy look firmly in place. I wasn’t paying attention to anyone else. All the people and the music and everything else faded into the background as my focus zeroed in on his touch. He tightened his grip and nudged my leg gently, and I let him guide my heeled foot to rest on his knee.

He kept his eyes on mine as long as he could as he placed a kiss on the top of my foot. I couldn’t hold back a small gasp as his pillow-soft lips connected with my skin. He’d actually fucking done it. His lips lingered on my foot for a brief moment before he looked back up at me. His thumb caressed my calf, sending tingles up my leg.

“I’ll happily kiss any part of your body if you’ll let me, Amaya,” he said, his words only for me. Still, everyone heard, and I became aware of all the people around us, watching and making all kinds of amused sounds.

I sighed dramatically and rolled my eyes. “Don’t push your luck.” My foot dropped back to the floor, and I waved my arm dismissively in his general direction. “I suppose you can stay.”

He caught my hand and kissed the back of it as he got to his feet. A massive grin split his face. “Thank you.”

“I don’t know why you look so damn happy. I’m still mad at you.”

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